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Resources and Supports During Corona Virus

COVID- 19 Health Care and Testing

Health care and testing

All New Yorkers should consider themselves potentially exposed to coronavirus. That means that everyone should stay home as much as possible, even if they do not have any symptoms of COVID-19.

You should consult with your doctor if you:

Have fever, cough, shortness of breath or other cold or flu-like symptoms and do not feel better after three to four days

Have mild symptoms and are an older adult or have any of the chronic health conditions listed above

Use telephone, text, telemedicine or a patient portal to reach out rather than going to your doctor in person. You and your provider will decide if you need to come to medical care.

If you need help finding a health care provider, call 311.

Immigrants and public charge

On March 13, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said that seeking or using healthcare services related to COVID-19 will NOT be considered under the public charge rule, even if the services are Medicaid-funded. Learn more from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA).

Anyone who needs help during the COVID-19 crisis should seek care without fear, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay for health services. To learn more about health care and testing, refer to the section above.

Organizations Supporting Immigrant Rights:

New York Immigration Coalition: The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy & advocacy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York. Check their COVID-19 Community Resources webpage or Community Tool-kit.

Make the Road New York builds the power of immigrant and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice. COVID-19 ALERT: We continue to provide critical support to our communities. If you need services or resources, click here. https://maketheroadny.org/

Housing

Gas, Water, Electricity Public Utilities

If you are not able to pay your electricity, gas or water bill as a result of COVID-19's impact, your service will NOT be shut off and you will NOT be penalized.

The State's major utilities will take immediate action to suspend service shutoffs to households during the COVID-19 outbreak and will continue to offer deferred payment plans for customers struggling financially due to the outbreak.

Domestic violence

In an emergency, dial 911. Call the NYC Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-621-4673, TTY 866-604-5350 (if you’re hearing impaired) to speak with a counselor. Learn more about how Family Justice Centers can help.

Risk of homelessness

Homebase will help you develop a plan to overcome an immediate housing crisis and achieve housing stability. Call 311 to find out how Homebase can help and learn more from HRA.

Programs and services for youth who are experiencing homelessness are expected to continue providing basic services. Learn more from DYCD website.

Section 8

NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Section 8 voucher holders having trouble paying rent because of income loss should email DTRAI@hpd.nyc.gov.

Rent Arrears and Public Assistance

If your work schedule was reduced as a result of the coronavirus and you are unable to pay your rent, you can apply for a Cash Assistance special grant request to get benefits for emergencies.

If you have an active Cash Assistance case, the fastest way to submit your request is online on ACCESS HRA.
You can apply in person for a one-time grant at a Job Center.
Call HRA Info line at 718-557-1399 to learn how to apply by mail

If you are facing eviction or are being threatened with being evicted:

• Know that since March 16, 2020, all eviction proceedings in New York City are suspended indefinitely. For more information, please visit the NYC Department of Investigation (DOI).

• Anyone with knowledge of City marshals attempting to execute on warrants of eviction can report this activity by calling DOI’s Bureau of City Marshals at (212) 825-5953.

• New York City Housing Court are now only open for essential cases permitted by the court, such as landlord lockouts, serious housing code violations, and requests for emergency repairs orders. For more information, please visit www.nycourts.gov or call (833) 503-0447 (toll-free).

• Your landlord cannot evict you, kick you out, or ask you to leave your apartment for having COVID-19.

• Your landlord cannot evict you, kick you out, or ask you to leave your apartment for being under home-quarantine.

• Being under isolation or quarantine in a hospital or other facility does not change your tenancy – your apartment remains your primary residence.

• You will still need to pay rent during quarantine or any time in a medical facility, as is the case for any illness.

• Your landlord cannot discriminate against you, kick you out, or ask you to leave your apartment because of fears and stigma around COVID-19, including discrimination or harassment on the basis of actual or perceived race, national origin, disability, or other protected classes. If you are facing discrimination and harassment by your landlord, please visit the NYC Commission on Human Rights and fill out the form to report discrimination.

Finances & Employment

Unemployment

NY State (NYS) is dropping the 7-day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to COVID-19 closures or quarantines. Learn more from the State Department of Labor.

NYS Dept. labor is extending telephone filing hours as follows:

Monday through Thursday, 8am to 7:30pm

Friday, 8am to 6pm

Saturday, 7:30am to 8pm

Call 888-469-7365 if you have questions about unemployment benefits.

Resources for Undocumented Workers in NY During the Coronavirus Crisis

FOOD

Free "Grab and Go" meals are available for all New Yorkers.

We now have a searchable map (with both 9am-12pm for children and their families and/or 3pm-5pm for everyone) available on this website.
There is also the DOE tool to search for take-out meals locations (9am-12pm) and the GetFood map to find grab-and-go Community Meals locations (3pm-5pm).

Emergency food

If you need emergency food assistance, call the Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777 or 311 to find a local pantry or kitchen. There is no income limit for emergency food. Learn more about Emergency food. Check Resources below.

Emergency Food Programs (Find a program near you!)

Feeding our neighbors- food pantry list.pdf

Internet & Devices

Devices for remote schooling

The NYC Department of Education is helping families that need remote learning devices. Please fill out the survey below if you need assistance:

Online (available in English, Español, 中文, বাংলা, Русский, العربية اردو, বাংলা, 한국어, Français)
Phone: 718-935-5100 (press 5)

Internet – Xfinity WiFi

Until further notice, all Xfinity WiFi Public Hotspots are now open to everyone on the “xfinitywifi” SSID.

Public hotspots can be found in small/medium businesses and outdoors in commercial areas.
Non-Xfinity subscribers need to accept Terms and Conditions to access the network and repeat when requested to continue to receive free unlimited access.
Find a WiFi Public HotSpot on this map and learn more from Xfinity WiFi.

Mental Health

NYC Well

An infectious illness outbreak can be stressful to you and your loved ones. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, and afraid, or to experience other symptoms of distress, such as trouble sleeping. To reduce your stress and to manage the situation more resiliently, try to remain positive, remind yourself of your strengths, connect with friends and loved ones and use healthy coping skills.

If your symptoms of stress become overwhelming, reach out for support and help. You can contact NYC Well, a confidential 24/7 helpline, staffed by trained counselors. They can provide brief counseling and referrals to care in over 200 languages.

Call 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-9355)
Text “WELL” to 65173
Chat at NYC.gov/nycwell

If you’re worried about how your child is dealing with the stress of COVID-19, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on managing stress and anxiety.

Need more help? Look at these website for more resources & Support: